May 23, 2015--On a speedy and splendid Saturday at the Split Rock Jumping Tour, the action in The Rock Jumping Field included the highlight $35,000 Amalaya Investments CSI3* Speed Cup, the UltrOz Low Junior/Amateur-Owner class and the Brook Ledge High Junior/Amateur class.

Twenty horses galloped in to tackle Guilherme Jorge's speed course. Directly before the class commenced, Ali Wolff walked the track with Oliver Kennedy explaining a strategy for both the audience and the USEF Network cameras. She described that the course got a touch taller and trickier towards the end, with the triple combination as 11a-b-c going towards the in-gate and then a gallop to the final fence. A majority of the faults incurred on the course were in this final line.

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Four were fast and clean - the first of those was Kevin Babington of Ireland, riding his Irish gelding Mark Q. They stopped the clock just under 65 seconds, in 64.99. Elm Rock, LLC's Eckham Van Het Steentje, with Margie Engle in the irons, jumped clean and confident in 74.97. Going for a second win, Venezuelan Andres Rodriguez took an inside track and tidy turns on his Oldenburg gelding Caballito, finishing just over the mark in 65.24, which would end up third. As Sharn Wordley entered the ring he knew what he had to do. On the Selle Francais stallion Popstar Lozonais (owned by Ashland Stables), Wordley rocked the round and clocked in more than two seconds faster than Babington at 62.53 for the win.

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Speaking of Wordley, Ashley Wordley won the Brook Ledge High Junior/Amateur-Owner class today aboard her Chicago V.H. Moleneind, a horse she's had for two years.

Charlise Casas proved her prowess again, this time on Lisanto 2, having the fastest double clean in an eleven-horse jump-off. She took advantage of the horse's large stride, commenting that after watching others in the jump-off, she knew where she could leave strides out to take the win. Keep your eye on this fourteen-year-old, she has a bright show jumping future.

In The Limestone Arena today, decorated American rider Candice King and Crusader were the only double clean in the 1.10m Jumper Final, earning the top prize. Chilean Jorge Matte aboard Conquest was the fastest clear in the jump-off in the Kingsland Equestrian 1.20m Jumper Final. Kevin Babington and Super Chilled won for the second day in a row in the Four Points by Sheraton 1.30m Jumper Final.

From the catered meals to the comfortable couches, the VIP tent offered a superb setting for riders, owners, trainers and their families. The fanfare for each class includes gorgeous ribbons, victory gallops, podium presentations and TV interviews.

The second day of the inaugural Split Rock Jumping Tour once again welcomed wonderful weather for the two show fields and family festival. Attendees had an opportunity to enjoy live music, boutique shops, and tasty local treats, plus see some top show jumping. The Split Rock Jumping Tour continues on Sunday, with several highlight events - the UltrOz Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Final kicks off the day at 9:00am, followed by the Brook Ledge High Junior/Amateur Final. The $15,000 Hagyard Equine U25 Cup begins at noon and the final event of the inaugural Split Rock Show Jumping Tour is the $100,000 CSI3* Grand Prix at 3:00pm.

The Split Rock Jumping Tour has partnered with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation in which a portion of proceeds from all sales of Split Rock Jumping Tour Hospitality packages will go directly to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation to support their programs. Split Rock will also provide staff and patients of the Center with free tickets to attend both horse shows. For more information please visit https://ukmarkey.org.